Project Context
Covenant House Vancouver’s Expansion Project was a multi-phase initiative to enhance services for youth experiencing homelessness in Metro Vancouver. The project delivered two purpose-built buildings (Drake and Seymour) and a major renovation of an existing building (Pender), creating a comprehensive downtown campus of care.
The facilities provide a continuum of support, including crisis accommodation, drop-in services, and transitional housing, along with wraparound amenities such as classrooms, counselling offices, art and music therapy spaces, kitchen/dining areas, fitness and wellness facilities, day programming, recreational spaces, and a health clinic. Spanning 10-years across three phases, the project significantly expanded Covenant House Vancouver’s capacity and services.
CitySpaces' Role
CitySpaces collaborated closely with Covenant House Vancouver from the early stages of project visioning, assessing project needs, site potential, and acquisition opportunities. Over more than a decade, we led consultations and engagement with youth and staff to gain a deep understanding of space and design requirements that would best serve vulnerable youth and support Covenant House staff in delivering life-changing housing and programming.
Design & Development Highlights
Phase 1:
A new five-storey building for crisis-focused accommodation and drop-in services, redeveloping a site across the street from Covenant House Vancouver’s original location.
Phase 2:
Redevelopment of the original Covenant House Vancouver building into a ten-storey facility with bedrooms for 75 youth. It includes a commercial kitchen, half-size gymnasium, classrooms, admin offices, health clinic, and emergency accommodation.
Phase 3:
A large-scale renovation of Covenant House Vancouver’s Pender Street building to support the Rights of Passage program: transitional housing for youth aging into adulthood. It includes 44 studio units, lounges, gathering spaces, and a life skills kitchen.
All three phases secured senior government funding and navigated complex challenges from approvals to construction. In 2024, CitySpaces led a post-occupancy review with staff and youth to capture key lessons from the expansion.
Impact
The two new buildings enabled Covenant House Vancouver to open two new programs for youth needing complex care, adding 51 permanent and 10 short-term beds for cold weather months. New office space allowed for an expansion of services to now include social workers, clinicians, and office support staff improving operations and programs.
All three buildings offer a level of thoughtful design that balances warmth, dignity, and comfort, with safety and security for youth in crisis and transition. The projects have set a high standard for emergency services and support services delivery for youth and other at-risk groups.
Areas of Expertise
Housing + Homelessness Strategy
Facilitation + Engagement
Visioning & Project Concept
Partnership Generation
Feasibility & Business Cases
Owner’s Representative & Project Management
Construction Administration
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